ARISE aims to fight for safe, stigma-free abortion access

A broad coalition of reproductive rights advocates, public health experts, and feminist groups has come together to launch the Abortion Rights Alliance for Inclusion, Safety and Empowerment (ARISE) - a national platform aimed at ensuring that safe abortion is accessible to all, free from stigma, fear, or legal uncertainty.

- Amit Srivastava MUMBAI

Launched last week, the alliance seeks urgent, coordinated action to protect and advance abortion rights in India, where millions still face barriers despite progressive legal reforms.

Despite the 2021 amendment to the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, which expanded conditional access to abortion up to 24 weeks for specific categories, access remains inconsistent and often hindered by stigma and legal confusion. A 2022 Supreme Court judgment had affirmed women's right to terminate pregnancies up to 24 weeks regardless of marital status, but subsequent rulings have rolled back these gains. (See box)